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President Obama Delivers Remarks to the United Nations General Assembly

President Obama With UNGA President Deiss and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2010. The President covered a number of issues in his speech, including the goal to defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies, the withdrawal from Iraq, and the refocus on Afghanistan. To ensure a future of peace and prosperity, President Obama spoke of reforming the system of global finance by joining with nations around the world to spur growth, and the importance of human rights.

The President said, "We know this is no ordinary time for our people. Each of us comes here with our own problems and priorities. But there are also challenges that we share in common as leaders and as nations.""We meet within an institution built from the rubble of war, designed to unite the world in pursuit of peace. And we meet within a city that for centuries has welcomed people from across the globe, demonstrating that individuals of every color, faith and station can come together to pursue opportunity, build a community, and live with the blessing of human liberty."

Addressing the drawdown from Iraq, the President said, "In Iraq, we are responsibly ending a war. We have removed American combat brigades from Iraqi cities, and set a deadline of next August to remove all our combat brigades from Iraqi territory. And I have made clear that we will help Iraqis transition to full responsibility for their future, and keep our commitment to remove all American troops by the end of 2011."

The president also sought to emphasize efforts on non-proliferation. He said, "Earlier this year, 47 nations embraced a work-plan to secure all vulnerable nuclear materials within four years. We have joined with Russia to sign the most comprehensive arms control treaty in decades. We have reduced the role of nuclear weapons in our security strategy. And here, at the United Nations, we came together to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"As part of our effort on non-proliferation, I offered the Islamic Republic of Iran an extended hand last year, and underscored that it has both rights and responsibilities as a member of the international community. I also said -- in this hall -- that Iran must be held accountable if it failed to meet those responsibilities. And that is what we have done."

He continued, "Now let me be clear once more: The United States and the international community seek a resolution to our differences with Iran, and the door remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it. But the Iranian government must demonstrate a clear and credible commitment and confirm to the world the peaceful intent of its nuclear program."

President Obama also addressed the priority of ending the Middle East conflict. The president said, "If an agreement is not reached, Palestinians will never know the pride and dignity that comes with their own state. Israelis will never know the certainty and security that comes with sovereign and stable neighbors who are committed to coexistence. The hard realities of demography will take hold. More blood will be shed. This Holy Land will remain a symbol of our differences, instead of our common humanity.

"I refuse to accept that future. And we all have a choice to make. Each of us must choose the path of peace. Of course, that responsibility begins with the parties themselves, who must answer the call of history. Earlier this month at the White House, I was struck by the words of both the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “I came here today to find a historic compromise that will enable both people to live in peace, security, and dignity.” And President Abbas said, “We will spare no effort and we will work diligently and tirelessly to ensure these negotiations achieve their cause.”"

He continued, "Now, peace must be made by Israelis and Palestinians, but each of us has a responsibility to do our part as well. Those of us who are friends of Israel must understand that true security for the Jewish state requires an independent Palestine -- one that allows the Palestinian people to live with dignity and opportunity. And those of us who are friends of the Palestinians must understand that the rights of the Palestinian people will be won only through peaceful means -- including genuine reconciliation with a secure Israel."

President Obama also addressed the importance of human rights. He said, " One of the first actions of this General Assembly was to adopt a Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. That Declaration begins by stating that, “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.""The idea is a simple one -- that freedom, justice and peace for the world must begin with freedom, justice, and peace in the lives of individual human beings. And for the United States, this is a matter of moral and pragmatic necessity. As Robert Kennedy said, “the individual man, the child of God, is the touchstone of value, and all society, groups, the state, exist for his benefit.” So we stand up for universal values because it's the right thing to do. But we also know from experience that those who defend these values for their people have been our closest friends and allies, while those who have denied those rights -- whether terrorist groups or tyrannical governments -- have chosen to be our adversaries."

He continued, "Civil society is the conscience of our communities and America will always extend our engagement abroad with citizens beyond the halls of government. And we will call out those who suppress ideas and serve as a voice for those who are voiceless. We will promote new tools of communication so people are empowered to connect with one another and, in repressive societies, to do so with security. We will support a free and open Internet, so individuals have the information to make up their own minds. And it is time to embrace and effectively monitor norms that advance the rights of civil society and guarantee its expansion within and across borders.

"Open society supports open government, but it cannot substitute for it. There is no right more fundamental than the ability to choose your leaders and determine your destiny. Now, make no mistake: The ultimate success of democracy in the world won't come because the United States dictates it; it will come because individual citizens demand a say in how they are governed."

In closing, President Obama said, "This future will not be easy to reach. It will not come without setbacks, nor will it be quickly claimed. But the founding of the United Nations itself is a testament to human progress. Remember, in times that were far more trying than our own, our predecessors chose the hope of unity over the ease of division and made a promise to future generations that the dignity and equality of human beings would be our common cause.

"It falls to us to fulfill that promise. And though we will be met by dark forces that will test our resolve, Americans have always had cause to believe that we can choose a better history; that we need only to look outside the walls around us. For through the citizens of every conceivable ancestry who make this city their own, we see living proof that opportunity can be accessed by all, that what unites us as human beings is far greater than what divides us, and that people from every part of this world can live together in peace."

Comments

Comments

This may be the best fit yet for a US President and the United Nations.

We may finally see the fruition of "We the Peoples...."

A renewal of interdependent sovereignties envisioned by the Charter....

A new shared global stewardship....

Moving from Words to Deeds......

It has been a long and difficult to here....but it looks like we have the elements of a revitalized UN.

Oystercracker

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United States

September 23, 2010

O.C. in the U.S.A. writes:

If the spy Jonathon Pollard is being released back to Israel in exchange for a moratorium on Palestinian settlements then they should also release American/Russian FBI turncoat spy, I forget his name. His punishment should be cracking cases for the FBI for the rest of his life. Why waste an intelligent spy?

Anna

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Pennsylvania, USA

September 23, 2010

Anna in Pennsylvania writes:

Obama is clearly on the right track. With Iraq under control, I agree with him that Afghanistan needs to be a top priority. I also like him comments surrounding open socieites and where they fit in the modern world. UNGA has been productive so far.

Thanks Dipnote!

Jen

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Virginia, USA

September 23, 2010

Jen in Virginia writes:

Thank you, President Obama! Middle East peace can only be achieved when all nations join together in support of this important initiative.

Sarah G.

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District Of Columbia, USA

September 24, 2010

Sarah G. in Washington DC writes:

@Jen in Virginia: I want to achieve Middle East peace, but unfortunately if we were to wait for all nations to join together for this initiative, we would be waiting forever. I do, however, wish for a future of peace and prosperity, but we need to step up to the challenges we are facing with energy and vivacity.

Michael K.

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New York, USA

September 24, 2010

Michael K. in New York writes:

Revitalization of the UN peacekeeping, one could say, is based on three major factors:
1.Presence of atrocities recognized internationally, by the UNSC
2. Need for foreign/international force
3. Willingness to fund operations internationally -financially and physically.

Will voters understand this issue with currency inflating?

DrG

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West Virginia, USA

September 24, 2010

Dr. G. in West Virginia writes:

This is the best summary of the UN address that I've seen in any paper or online news article.

pamela g.

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West Virginia, USA

September 24, 2010

Pamela G. in West Virginia writes:

IT WAS A WONDERFUL MESSAGE BUT I WAS DELIGHTED WHEN THE US DELEGATION AND OTHER NATIONS WALKED OUT WHEN IRAN'S LEADER SPOKE.WE CANNOT LET THE TERRORISTS CONTROL US.